Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Dickey, North Dakota

Rules another office applies inside Dickey

Dickey does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

• Owner-builder exemptionConditional

  An individual installing an onsite wastewater system on that individual's own premises inside Dickey city; this is an installer-license exemption, not evidence of a general building owner-builder exemption.

  • The individual must obtain a system permit under section 33.1-21-01-06.
  • The rule became effective October 1, 2026.

  “An individual installing a system on the individual's premises is exempt from the requirements of this section. The individual shall obtain a permit for the system in accordance with section 33.1-21-01-06.”

• Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

  Onsite wastewater systems, including septic systems, inside Dickey city when such a system is proposed.

  • The state department has exclusive rulemaking authority for licensing, permitting, and inspections.
  • A permitting authority is a North Dakota local public health unit, other political subdivision, or its designee; the particular local permitting authority for Dickey city was not identified in the located official sources.

  “exclusive authority [...] local public health unit”

• Septic permitRequired

  Construction, alteration, repair, or extension of an onsite wastewater system inside Dickey city.

  • Regular system maintenance does not require a permit.
  • The permit must be issued by the permitting authority having jurisdiction where the work is done.
  • A permit cannot be issued without a valid installer license, except for an individual installing a system on that individual's own premises under section 33.1-21-01-04(7).
  • A permit is valid for no more than 12 months from issuance.
  • The permitting authority may deny a system permit when public sewer is available within 200 feet of the property line, unless written documentation shows the sewer authority denied connection.
  • The rule became effective October 1, 2026.

  permit validity: <= 12 months · public-sewer availability distance: <= 200 feet (Permitting authority may deny a system permit unless written documentation indicates denial of connection from the sewer authority.)

  “A person may not construct, alter, repair, or extend any system without first obtaining a permit from the permitting authority. Regular system maintenance does not require a permit.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Installation of an onsite wastewater system inside Dickey city.

  • The installation inspection is conducted by the permitting authority or its authorized representative.
  • The cited statute requires the inspection within one business day after receipt of the inspection request.
  • Existing equipment and system operation may be inspected at a reasonable time.
  • The rule became effective October 1, 2026.

  inspection timing after request: <= 1 business day

  “Inspection of the installation of a system must be conducted by the permitting authority or an authorized representative of the permitting authority in accordance with paragraph 3 of subdivision c of subsection 2 of North Dakota Century Code section 23-35-02, which requires the inspection to be conducted within one business day of receiving the request for inspection.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Disposal of household wastewater through an onsite wastewater system inside Dickey city.

  • A permit is required to construct, alter, repair, or extend the system, except regular maintenance.
  • Water from bathrooms, kitchens, laundry fixtures, and other household plumbing must pass through a septic tank or higher treatment before discharge into soil.
  • If underground dispersal is infeasible, the permitting authority may review alternative collection and disposal methods.
  • The rule became effective October 1, 2026.

  “Water carried from bathrooms, kitchens, laundry fixtures, and other household plumbing must pass through a septic tank or higher level of treatment prior to its discharge into the soil. If underground dispersal for treatment is not feasible, the permitting authority may review alternative methods of collection and disposal.”

• Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

  Permit fees for onsite wastewater systems inside Dickey city.

  • The fee is set by the permitting authority having jurisdiction where the work is done.
  • The particular permitting authority and fee applicable inside Dickey city were not identified in the located official sources.
  • The rule became effective October 1, 2026.

  “The permit must be issued by the permitting authority within the jurisdictional limits where the work is being done. The fee for the permit must be set by the permitting authority.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Onsite wastewater-system permits inside Dickey city.

  • The permit must be obtained before constructing, altering, repairing, or extending a system.
  • Regular maintenance does not require a permit.
  • The permitting authority must issue the permit within its jurisdictional limits.
  • Approval, modification, denial, or revocation must be in writing.
  • The rule became effective October 1, 2026.

  permit validity: <= 12 months (From date of issuance.)

  “The permit must be issued by the permitting authority within the jurisdictional limits where the work is being done. The fee for the permit must be set by the permitting authority. The permitting authority shall maintain records of all permits it has issued for the life of the system.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Dickey or LaMoure County directly.

• Building permit — New residential construction inside Dickey city limits.
• Building code adopted — Residential construction inside Dickey city limits.
• Inspections — Residential building inspections inside Dickey city limits.
• Certificate of occupancy — New or changed residential occupancy inside Dickey city limits.
• Local zoning — Land inside Dickey city limits.

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.